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Scammers Are Hiding Their Phone Numbers in Photos on Google Listings

The Short Answer

In September 2026, Search Engine Roundtable reported a scam where people upload AI-generated photos to real business listings with a phone number printed on the image. A customer who calls the number in the photo instead of the one on your profile reaches the scammer, not you.

How It Works

The scammers use Google Maps contributor accounts to add photos that show a phone number, often next to the business name. In the case that was reported, one contributor had more than 150 photo contributions across unrelated U.S. businesses, all showing the same wrong number. A roofing company was among those affected, and the fake image sat prominently where it could pass for one of the profile photos.

The owner reported the photo and contacted Google support, and the first replies were generic. Adding more photos, a logo and a cover image did not make the fake one go away. About a day after the story ran, Google removed the contributor behind the spam photos.

The Mistake Worth Avoiding

Only checking your reviews. Photos uploaded by other people show up on your listing too, and most owners rarely look at that tab. A fake number can sit there for weeks sending calls to someone else, and you would never see it in your own call log.

What Actually Works

A five minute check worth putting on your monthly list:
  • Open your listing on Google Maps and go through the Photos tab, including photos added by customers and other contributors.
  • Look for any image that shows a phone number, a website or a company name that is not yours.
  • Report each one using the report option on the photo, and take a screenshot first so you have a record.
  • Keep your own photos current, with real shots of your trucks, crew and finished work. In the reported case that did not remove the fake image, but fresh real photos are still worth having.

The Takeaway

A scam like this works because nobody is watching the photos tab. A couple of minutes a month is enough to catch it early, and a phone number that is not yours is the one thing worth reporting right away.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Open the photo on Google Maps and use the report or flag option, then choose the reason that fits. Take a screenshot first so you have a record if the photo stays up.
Not directly. You can report a photo to Google, but removal is up to Google. In the reported case, the owner reported the photo and contacted support, and the contributor was only removed after the story was published.
You usually will not. Those calls never reach your phone, so the most reliable check is looking at your listing the way a customer would.
Related: A Mysterious Bug Is Dropping Some Business Pins in the Ocean  |  Google Will Now Email You When It Catches a Spam Review Attack on Your Listing
Source: Search Engine Roundtable

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